📌 Loch & nature reserve near Golspie, Highland
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Loch Fleet is a coastal wildlife reserve based around the estuary of the River Fleet between Dornoch and Golspie. The estuary was cut in two by the construction of a long road causeway, known as The Mound, across the tidal wetland by Thomas Telford in the early 19th century. Telford installed an ingenious set of sluice gates where the River Fleet passed underneath The Mound, which let freshwater out of the upstream part of the estuary at low tide, but automatically prevented seawater from flowing in the other direction at high tide. Over the last 200 years, the upper estuary has been transformed into an important freshwater habitat and alder woodland, in contrast to the saline lower estuary. There are good views of both parts from The Mound (which has a car park on its east side), while the narrow southern shore road is an excellent place from which to spot wading birds, overlooked by Skelbo Castle. All of these places are good seal-watching locations.
🌍 Location
📌 The Mound is on the A9 3 mi southwest of Golspie. Alternative viewpoint to south below Skelbo Castle (see link above)
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NH 775982
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.956145,-4.071735
🚌 Bus stops at A9 / A839 junction nearby
🚗 Car parks & laybys
📝 Key info
⌚ Always open
🎫 Free
